Portable insulated container



Feb. 3, 1959 R. K. ADAMS l PORTABLE INSULATED CONTAINER 2 Sheets-Sheet 1Filed Deo. 22, 1954 ...lnlllllllllilll' IIIIIJvII;

www

H -mwmm Feb. 3, 1959v R. K. ADAMS PORTABLE INSULATED CONTAINER 2Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec. 22, 1954 @mmm Min.

vSalga fabezj. @@QHZS by. A

Has

United States Patent() Ltda PORTABLE INSULATED CONTAINER Robert K.Adams, Chicago, Ill.

Application December 22, 1954, Serial No. 477,071

3 Claims. (Cl. 229-14) This invention relates to containers and, moreparticularly to a container, preferably of corrugated cardboard, whichis particularly suitable for shipping purposes, and which is capable ofstoring articles at a predetermined temperature for relatively longperiods.

A primary object of the invention is to provide a container of theportable type which is so constructed to Withstand all the shocks andstrains incident to normal use.

Another object of the invention is to provide a container of the statedtype which is so constructed that the contents are eectively protectedfrom damage due to falls, jars and the like.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device of the mentionedtype wherein a minimum number of component parts is required, andwherein these parts are intertted in a novel manner.

Another object of the invention is to provide a container of the typedescribed which is capable of Withstanding a relatively great impactwithout damage to the contents thereof.

A further object of the invention is to provide a con-v tainer of thestated type having a closure member which may be eiciently andeffectively locked in position.

Another object of the invention is to provide a container of thementioned character which is air and gas tight and which may beeffectively used for the maintenance of predetermined humidityconditions.

A more particular object of the invention is to provide a container ofthe stated character which is provided with side walls having horizontalcreases to provide the requisite rigidity for the purpose intended,certain of these creases serving also to secure in position a pair ofbails for easy grasping.

A final object of the invention is to provide a container of thementioned character which has double walls forming compartments forinsulation, these Walls being held in fixed relation by means of novelcorner caps which function also to minimize damage to the upper cornersof the container.

Other and further objects, advantages and features of the presentinvention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from thefollowing description, taken-in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawing in which similar reference characters relate to similar parts,and in which:

Fig. l is a view in perspective of a container made in accordance withthe present invention;

Fig. 2 is an elevational view, in section, of the container of Fig. l,certain parts being removed for the sake of clarity;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary view in perspective of one of the corner capsutilized with the container of the present ICC Z present invention, isformed into another panel of the lid; Fig. 7 is a view in perspective ofthe panels of Figs. 5 and 6 in assembled relation;

Fig. 8 is an elevational view, in section, of a modied form of thepresent invention; v

Fig. 9 is an enlarged fragmentary view of another form of the presentinvention;

Fig. l0 is an elevational view in section of another form of thecontainer of the present invention; and

Fig. l1 is a view in perspective of an enclosure member used inconjunction with a humidity modification compartment of the form of theinvention shown in Fig. 10.

With reference to the drawing and more particularly` to Figs. l and 2,the form of the invention shown' in these figures comprises a container,generally indicated by ref-y erence 'numeral 10, and including an outercasing 11, and an inner liner 12 arranged in spaced relation to thewalls of the casing 11. Between the liner and the casing walls isarranged insulation 13'which desirably takes the form of breglass bats.A lid 14 completes the enclosure of a chamber 15 deiined'by the walls ofthe liner 12.

With reference now more particularly to Figs. 2 and 4, the casing 11Viscomprised of a continuous piece of material, such as corrugatedcardboard or the like, which is scored along dotted lines 17, 20 and 21to form side panels 22, 24, and back and front panels 23, 25. The blankis scored along dotted line 27 which extends perpendicularly to thedotted lines 17, 20 and 21 to form bottom panels 22a, 23a, 24a and 25a.

According to the present invention, the walls of the casing are soformed that the entire container is characterized by great strength andrigidity. To this end, a substantially horizontal crease 16 is formed inthe walls of the casing 11. With reference now to Fig. 4, it will benoted that this crease is` formed by impressing fold lines 18 and 19(shown in dotted lines) in each of the several panels 22, 23, 24 and 25of the outer casing. A score line 26 (shown by a dot-and-dash line)assures even and effective folding. It will be understood that thecorrugated cardboard of which the present carton is desirably comprisedis scored on but one surface so that convenient folding is obtainedwithout sacrificing the inherent strength of the laminate. As shownclearly in Fig. 2, the scored side of the blank faces inwardly in thecompleted structure. A pair of bails 30 are arranged within the fold 16.By this arrangement, the bails form, in effect, an integral part of therigid structure of the container. Because of the fact that the lowerreaches of the bails engage the casing throughout the entire length ofthe sides, there is little likelihood of the bails becoming detachedfrom the container because of strain at the point of joinder. Forsecuring the bails in position and retaining the side walls in creasedcondition a plurality of staples 31 is provided.

It will be noted in Fig. 4 that the blank for forming the liner 12 is inabutting relation to the blank utilized for forming the walls of thecasing. By this arrangement great savings are effected because of theminimum amount of wastage involved. Cut lines 28 and 29 separate thesetwo blanks. It will be noted that the'panels 23a and 25a are somewhatshorter than the panels 22a vand 24a to facilitate forming the bottom ofthe container, as is the case in conventional cardboard cartons.

The liner 12 is formed from a blank divided by score lines 32, 33 and 34into panels 35, 36, 37 and 38 dimensioned to conform to thecorresponding panels of the outer casing. These panels are scored alonglines 39 and 42 to form applurality of panels 43, one foreach of theliner panels, and a corresponding numberof panels 44. As shown clearlyin Fig. 2, the panels 43 extend substanf tially horizontally across thetop edges of the upperniost;l

insulation bats between the liner and the casing, while the panels 44extend downwardly from the edges of the panels 43 to the crease 16. Thebottom edges of the liner panels are arranged in abutting relation totheflaps 23a and 25a. A liner bottom 45 is desirably formed in abuttingrelation to the blank for the liner 12. ln Fig. 4 it will be noted thatthe corrugated cardboard is severed along cut line 46 to form this linerbottom. The resulting blank is scored along lines represented by dottedlines in Fig. 4 to form a panel 47 and extension panels 48, 49, 52 and53. As shown in Fig. 2 these panels are bent to assume a positionperpendicular to the plane of the panel 47. In practice, these panelssupport the panel 47 in spaced relation to the bottom of the casing 11.A tape 50 retains the liner bottom 45 and the liner wall panels in xedrelation and serves also as a seal in the event that a meltablerefrigerant is employed. For this purpose also, the inner surfaces ofthe liner are desirably coated with wax. lt will be understood, ofcourse, that all of t'ne adjoining edges of the casing and the liner aresecured each to the other by any suitable means, such as staples, wirestitching, or the like.

It will be noted that the panels 43 of the liner are arranged to coveronly as much of the topmost insulation bats as their dimensions permit.The result is that the bats are exposed at each of the corners of thecontainer. It will be appreciated that these corners would be likely toreceive damage while the container is in use. With this in mind, meansare provided which are capable of eleetively covering these exposedareas and also providing protective enclosures for these vulnerablecorners. With reference now to Fig. 3, there is provided at each of theupper corners of the container a cap 54, desirably of plastic or thelike. This cap includes a substantially rectangular plate portion 55, apair of ilanges 56 den pending from adjoining side edges of the plate55, and a V-shaped tongue 57. The flanges 56 and the tongue S7 areformed integrally with the plate 55 and are desirably canted at a slightangle towards each other so that the flanges 56 may frictionally engagethe top marginal edges of the panels of the casing 11 while the V-shapedtongue 57 engages the panels of the liner 12.

With reference now to Figs. 5 and 6 the lid 14 is cornprised of a toppanel 58 scored along dotted lines to form panels 59, 62, 63 and 64. Abottom panel 65 is formed in adjacent relation to the top panel 58 andis separated therefrom by a cut line 66. The bottom panel 65 is dividedby suitable score lines into a central panel 67, side extension panels68, and front and back eXtension panels 69. The panels 68 and 69 aresubdivided by suitable score lines into suitable sub-panels 68a and 69a,and 68h and 69h. In forming the lid the sub-panels 68a and 69a are bentinto a position` substantially perpendicular to the panel 67. Theadjoining edges of these panels are then secured each to the other by asuitable fastening means such as staples or the like. The subpanels 68band 69b are then bent into substantially the same plane as the centralpanel 5S. In the shallow receptacle thus formed a bat 13 of insulationis placed. The extension panels 59, 62 and 64 of the top panel 5S arethen bent over to form a pocket for reception of the subpanels 68h andone of the sub-panels 69h. It will be noted that the extension panels ofthe top panel 58 are cut on an angle so as to provide a butt-joint. Themeeting edges of this butt-joint are secured each to the other by anysuitable means such as staples, wire stitching, or the like. Theextension panel 63 is bent at 72 and the outer edge thereof is securedto the upper marginal edge of the panel 23 by means of staples or thelike. The free edge of the other of the sub-panels 69b is secureddirectly to the top panel 58 in like manner.

In Fig. 8 a modified form of the invention is shown in which an outercasing 11a is provided with a crease 16a, similar to the crease 16 inthe principal form of the in- 4 vention. The upper extremities of thecasing 11a are scored at 72 so that the marginal edges may be bent backupon themselves to form a shoulder, as at 73. A lid 14a having dependingpanels 74 is scored at 75 to alford bending of the marginal edges 76thereof in abutment with the interior surfaces of the panels 74. Thismodied form of lid, which is suitable for containers intended for usebut one time, is dimensioned so that it may receive the upper edges ofthe container in a manner that the edges 74 and 76 are effectivelyinterlocked, with the result that the lid is held in position. The lidMa is provided with a lower panel 65a similar to the lower panel 65 inthe principal form of the invention. ln this modified form, however,side and end panels 77 are provided which merely rest upon panels 43a ofliner 12a. The effective engagement of the lid 14a with the casing 11aretains the lower panel 65a and its enclosed insulation in place.

Fig. 9 shows a form of the invention similar to that disclosed in Fig. 8with the exception that a liner 12b is provided having substantiallyhorizontal panels 43b and depending panels 44h which are engaged by theedges 76 of the lid 14a. The upper extremities of outer casing 11b areformed to provide substantially horizontal panels 78, upon which thepanels 43b rest, and downwardly extending panels 82, the outer surfacesof which are in abutting relation to the outer surfaces of the upperextremities of the liner 12b.

According to another important feature of the present invention meansare provided for effectively controlling humidity conditions within anyof the above forms of container. Fig. l0, for instance, shows acontainer of the type shown in Fig. 8 in which the insulation has beenomitted and in which a liner bottom 45a of reduced width as compared tothe liner bottom 45 of the principal form of the invention is provided.Alongside of the liner bottom 45a is arranged an enclosure 82 dening acompartment 83 for reception of a suitable desiccant or humidifyingagent, as may be required. With reference now to Fig. ll this enclosureS2 is comprised of a top panel 84 and depending flanges 85. A pluralityof apertures S6 are formed in the top panel 84 to permit passage ofmoisture to or from the compartment 83 as may be required.

The portable container of the present invention is particularly suitablefor shipping articles which must be protected from temperature changesand shock. ln this category are blood plasma, whole blood, andbiologicals. In shipping articles such as these abroad, the considerableweight of prior art containers have proved particularly disadvantageous`These containers were often expensive of manufacture, and consequentlythere was a need for returning them. The container of the presentinvention is expendable, and may be discarded after one shipment. Theabove described device may assume a variety of configurations, thedisclosed rectangular form being shown only for purposes ofillustration. A variety of other articles such as frozen food, dairyproducts, and the like may safely be transported in this container. Inthe form of the invention shown in Fig. ll, for instance, delicatemechanical movements may be safely shipped with a suitable desiccant,and in the case of commodity requiring humidication, means foraccomplishing this result may be disposed in the compartment provided.It will be apparent that this invention may be embodied in constructionswhich differ in many respects and details from the particular embodimentdisclosed. All moditications which do not go beyond the scope of theinvention will readily suggest themselves to those skilled in the art.lt is, therefore, not intended that the invention be limited to theexact construction shown and described, but only to the inventiveconcept as defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

l. A container comprising a casing formed from a single piece ofcorrugated cardboard or the like divided by suitable score lines intoside, end vand bottom panels, said casing walls being formed with asubstantially horizontal inwardly extending crease to provide rigidity,a pair of bails mounted in said crease, the portion of said bailsmounted within said crease extending the length of one of said sidepanels, means for maintaining said bails within said crease, a linerformed from a single piece of corrugated cardboard or the like anddivided by suitable score lines into side and end panels, said linerbeing mounted Within said casing in spaced relation to the side and endwalls thereof, each of said liner panels being provided with a pair ofextension panels one of which being arranged across the mouth of thespace between the casing and the liner and the other of which beingdisposed in engagement with the inner surface of a corresponding casingpanel, insulation bats arranged in the space between the casing and theliner, and an insulated lid for said casing.

2. A container comprising a casing formed from a single piece ofcorrugated cardboard or the like divided by suitable score lines intoside, end and bottom panels, a liner formed from a single piece ofcorrugated cardboard or the like and divided by suitable score linesinto side and end panels, said liner being mounted within said casing inspaced relation to the side and end walls thereof, each of said linerpanels being provided with a pair of extension panels one of which beingarranged across the mouth of the space between the casing and the linerand the other of which being disposed in engagement with the innersurface of a corresponding casing panel, insulation bats arranged in thespace between the casing and the liner, a plurality of caps arranged oneat each juncture of the casing panels and the liner panels for securingthese panels in fixed relation, each of these caps comprising a datplate, integrally formed depending anges for engagement with the topmarginal edges of adjoining casing panels, and an integrally formeddepending tongue for engaging adjoining liner panels, and an insulatedlid for said casing.

3. A container comprising a casing formed yfrom a single piece ofcorrugated cardboard or the like divided by suitable score lines intoside, en d and bottom panels, a liner formed from a single piece ofcorrugated cardboard or the like and divided by suitable score linesinto side and end panels, said liner being mounted within said casing inspaced relation to the side and end walls thereof, each of said linerpanels being provided with a pair of extension panels one of which beingarranged across the mouth of the space between the casing and the linerand the other of which being disposed in engagement with the innersurface of a corresponding casing panel, insulation bats arranged in thespace between the casing and the liner, a plurality of caps arranged oneat each juncture of the casing panels and the liner panels for securingthese panels in fixed relation, each of these caps comprising a atplate, integrally formed depending ilanges for engagement with the topmarginal edges of adjoining casing panels, and an integrally formeddepending tongue for engaging adjoining liner panels, said flanges andsaid tongue being formed to incline inwardly so as to provide a firmfrictional engagement with the easing and liner walls, and a lidincluding a top panel and a bottom panel, the side edges of the toppanel being provided with extension panels, the bottom panel beingscored to provide a central panel, extension panels arranged in normalrelation to the said central panel, an insulation bat disposed in thereceptacle thus formed, and edge panels disposed in parallel relation tosaid central panel and in engagement with the said top panel, theextension panels being folded over said edge panels and secured each tothe other along abutting edges.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,086,984 Black Feb. 10, 1914 1,497,159 Porter June 10, 1924 1,527,167Birdseye Feb. 24, 1925 2,173,871 Zalkind a Sept. 26, 1939' 2,301,657Hlavaty Nov. 10, 1942 2,591,578 McNealy et al. Apr. 1, 19,52

